Remembering Jack McFarland

The Inquirer and Mirror invites family and friends of John D. "Jack" McFarland to share their memories in this space.

Click here to submit your thoughts and recollections. We will post as many as we possibly can, but please be patient. It may take some time before your post appears.

• I was so saddened to read of Jack's passing. In my tenure as fire chief Jack was the "go-to guy" at the school department. We worked well together in helping to ensure the fire and life safety of the schools. He was a good friend to me. I was always impressed with how Jack would handle his illness and remain positive and inspirational. He was an example for all of us to follow. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Everett G Pierce

• To his many friends Jack McFarland was an unsung hero who gave all of us courage, conviction and a deep appreciation for life and for each other. Jack was always there for us to share his wit, his intelligence and his humor. Jack's love for his family and his love for Nantucket was a gift that he openly shared with each of his friends. Always the gentleman (even if the situation didn't warrant it), Jack always remained focused on the positive and what was good about life. Recent memories of traveling to Aruba, enjoying "Thanksgiving on the deck", clamming, celebrating his and Susan's birthdays, celebrating and recounting the many successes of his beautiful daughter and granddaughters, and of having him always create "a social comfort zone" that allowed us to enjoy each other's idiosyncracies...these are just a few of the many memories that defined Jack McFarland as "the perfect friend." He was "Prince Charming" not only to Susan, Kelley, and the girls, but also to those of us who cherished him. Those of us "on the mainland" truly understand Nantucket's loss. Although devastated by Jack's passing, we are comforted with the knowledge that Jack is experiencing the peace and joy that he earned and always deserved. Our hearts are with you always Susan, Kelley, Steve and "the girls." Love,

Roger,Pat, Aaron, Ashley and Manny

• With the passing of Jack McFarland, the Nantucket community and public school system lost a friend and tireless worker. My relationship with Jack was at first professional as an employee with the Nantucket Community Pool then as a friend. Once we realized our birthdays coincided we exchanged happy recognition of another year gone by. His friends knew of his courageous fight to regain his health but we never heard one moment of complaint or despair. The challenging task of the care and maintenance of our NPS buildings and campus was in good hands with Jack. He was a professional, treated everyone with respect and was just an all around nice guy. I will always remember his engaging smile and pleasant demeanor, especially on our birthdays.

Steve McCluskey

• On behalf of everyone at Nantucket Public Schools, I would like to express our grief on the loss of our friend and colleague, and extend our sympathy and deepest condolences to his wife, family, and his friends within the Nantucket community at large. Jack joined the Nantucket Public Schools as Facilities Manager in 1998 and quickly proved himself to be an indispensible contribution to the successful operation of the schools. Continue reading

Superintendent Robert Pellicone

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